Portable rail-car unit



P 19291 J. 5. OECHSLE 1,727,114

PORTABLE RAIL CAR UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28, 1928 50 w L 4a ,L 22 2 m1 1 26 FG. 4

I e7 36 3 Z 25 a as 4 42. N Z

0 1'1 O 7 47 INVENTOR:

)5 I 44 '14 \3 4+ JosEPH SOEcHsL Fl 2 ATTORNEY P 1929. J. 5. OECHSLE PORTABLE RAIL CAR UNIT Filed March 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 7

INVENTOR.

JOSEPH S. QECHSLE ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITEDQSTA ES' I 1,727,114 PATENT I OFFICE.

JOSEPH s. OEOHSLE, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVAN A, ASSIGNOR 'ro METALWELD, f

INCORPORATED, OF SYLVANIA.

PHILADELYHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION or PENN-1 PORTABLE RAIL-cm U IT.

' Application filed March 28, 1928. Serial No. 265,299.

This invention relates to improvementsin railway portable air compressors and more particularly to a hydraulic lifting jack arrangement for lifting the compressor bodily above its tracks to facilitate the insertion of derailing ties when it is desired to, move the compressor laterally of its main tracks.

Heretofore and prior to this invention considerable difficulty has been encountered in raising portable air compressors and similar apparatus to a distance above its main tracks suflicient to permit the insertion of derailing' ties under transverse wheels mounted upon the frame. Ordinarily, pairs of these transverse wheels are mounted in suitable manner at either end of the compressor, the wheels of each pair being arranged in tandem so that when laterally extending derailing ties are inserted. beneath them the apparatus may be freely moved laterally of its main tracks. In order to insert the transverse derailing ties beneath the sets of transverse wheels the common practice has been to separately and manually jack up each end of the compressor to a height sufficient to clear the main wheels thereof from the main tracks at the same time that the transverse wheels are raised sufficiently tozpermit the insertion therebeneath of the derailing ties, it being understood, of course, that these latter rest upon and extend transversely of the main tracks. Not only did this practice of individually jacking-up of each end of the compressor necessitate the use of. special lifting acks and the exercise of considerable effort in manually operating the jack, but there was always present the possibility of the jack being missing or otherwise not availablewhen it was most needed. Added to this was the fact that at least two distinct jacking-up operations were necessary before it was possible to respectively insert the derailing ties under the foreand aft Still other moresets of transverse wheels. or less serious ob ect1ons against the use of these separate lifting jacks were thatit was always essential that the base of the jack be founded upon a flat and secure foundation and that the. clearance between the frame of the compressor and said foundation was sufiiciently great to permitthe placement of the jack in proper position. I

This lnventlon aims to overcome the aforementioned objections and difliculties and it is accordingly among the objects thereof to pro- I arise,

vide the compressor or similar apparatus with means-suitably and permanently mounted upon the frame of the compressor for lifting" the same vertically'above its main tracks thereby obviating the use'of separate lifting jacks for ralsing first one and then the other end of the compressor.

A further object of the invention is the provision-of hydraulic lifting means oper ableto lift, the compressor bodily above its maintracks, these means being so arranged that the main tracks themselves acta's the lower abutments therefor, thus insuring at all times the provision of a'firm, secure and flat foundation to take the downward thrust of the lifting means. 1

e. A -still further objectof the invention is the provision ofapairof'hydraulically op-- erated lifting jacks arranged at opposite sides of the compressor frame,- the medium for op erating both j acks being supplied from a com mon reservoir under pressure obtained by the actuation of a singlepump.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of 'a pairiof hydraulic lifting jacks, each of which is rigidly mounted 'upon the s1des of the compressor and includes a plunger the lower end of which is provided with a shoe for engaging opposite faces of'each main rail whereby to effectually preclude the possibilty of .the lower ends of said plungers from shifting laterally with'respect to said main rails. I i I Still another object of the invention is the provisionof a pair ofhydraulic lifting jacks mounted upon opposite sides of the compressor and operative in such manner tha't upon actuation thereof-to raise the'compressor the lower ends thereof constitute laterallyar ranged fulcrums or supports upon which the compressor 'may be bodily supported in substantially balanced condition.

{A still further and important object of invention is the utilization of-these'fiuid pressure operated'devices not only for-raising the compressor above its main tracksin "order to permit the insertion of the transverse derailing tiesbeneath their respective setsof trans verse wheels but also for braking the compressor when certain unforeseen emergencies f l as whenthe usual brakingmechanisms a1 r Still another object of this invention is the idea of so mounting the lifting devices upon this the frame of the compressor that, under certain conditions, saiddevices may funct on as a pair of fixed vertical supports for rlgidly supporting the sides of the frame againstundue vertical vibration ,while the compressor'is operating, thejlowerends or the devices being founded "for this purpose upon the main tracks at points located respectivelybetween the fore and aft wheels on either side of the compressor. 9 a Other objects of the invention are the provision oitameans easily and simply operated not only for the purpose :of facilitating the derailment :or lateral .a shifting: of :the 00m pr'essoir with :respect :to its main tracks but also Eior supportingthe compressor against vibration, :the rigid and secure mounting of said means upon the compressor so that it constitutes atpermanentipart thereof, the provision ofameans .for lowering the compressor quickly, yet easily :and .WlfillOUbShOO'k, upon either the main :tracks .or the i'dera' i'ling ties,

and {the provision of a hydrulio lifting mechanism which is simple inconstruction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and efficientiand durable'inuse. I

Other objects and objects relating-to details of constructioniand'operation will appear more :fu'lly'he'rein a'fter. a

The invention consist-s=substantially in the combination, construction, location and "relativeranrangement of lparts, all as will be 'described more fully :hereinafter, :as shown in the drawings and .finally pointed out in the appended elaims. While "I have chosen to illustrate and describethisiinvention in: opera tive association with a irail :c'ar :portable aircompressor, :1t -w1'llbe understood,--of course, that Ethe inventlon isicapa'bleof use 1n con-- neotion with apparatus other than 1 air 'com lg'ressorS and accordingly:1 not wish 'to' imit myself :to its ,use solely in connection with aircompressors.

In the accompanying drawingsr 5 Figure-1-1s;a:perspective :view 'ofa irail 2 car air compressor inwhic'h my invention has been embodied, :the lifting :jacks being; in: in.- operative position; I

Figure 2-1is i3, :transverse vertical section:

ture of the rail car showing both ends of thecarraised, shoes of the form shownin {Figure 3 being-employedin this instance;

itudinal sectionof a modi-- Figure 7 is a side viewv of the lower structurezoi the rail car showmgone end of the car raised, shoes of the form shown in Figure 4E being employed in this instance; and

Figurefi ls a vert cal section through the.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 thereof it will be observed that the invention is shown as being embodied in a portable rail carair co'n'rpressor,"the compressor unit 10 thereof being arranged to be driven by an internal con'ibustio'nzengine llandithe air compressor as a whole being suitably mounted upon a main frame 121having the wheels 1-3 for guiding the-compressor as the l atter is propelled.- along -the -imaintracks 14L. The air receiver 15 and theigasolene tank 16 are mounted upon' the .it'ra'me12in any suitable manner. Securedto the uno-ersuriaceoit thezmain frame 1-2- by means of the supporting brackets or hangers :17 are "a plurality lot transverse wheels 18, these latter being considerably smaller than the main wheels 13 and mountedinlsuch manner that theyrhang ireelyabove and-out ot-contact with the main tracks 14; Iheseftransverse wheels are-arranged in gpa'irs at opposite 'ends ofthe compressor so that when the latter is raised suficiently to permit transverse derailingnrails or ties to be laid across'the main tracks and under the said transverse wheels the compressor maybe moved'slaterally of said-main tracks and along said derailingties'. Inasmuch as the foregoingiparts are more or less well known, further xe'xplanationsthereott' is deemed unnecese sany'herein, saidpartshavingbeenbut briefly describedin :order thatea -more comprehensive ideaamay be had of 'my invention, nowto :bvdescribed in detail, .01" the means rot lifting the compressor. vertically above the maintraoks 14:. '7

:In. order *to raise the compressor bodily above-themaintracks '14 forthe purpose of inserting the transversely extending 2 Lei-ailing ties in position :beneath the -transverse wheels, 1- emplovapair of hydraulic lifting jacks, designatedgenerallyiasl9 audit)., to which a 'sultable fluid, such 3501i, is pumped from [the .Oll reservolr 20 suitably mounted upon therunningiboard 2 1. A ;pump=22, in-

this instance a hand operated p'lung'er pump,

'Ili'ft'ing ijackfper. sethe shoe shown hereinbe 'ing ofthe form shown in Fig. 4:. a

although liny other type may beemployed as- V desired, for supplying oilunder pressure to thelifting. jacks :191-9" is also'mounted upon the :running ?board of :the compressor. As ZIPPGMSQDOSU clearly in Figure 5,-the oil irom the {reservoir or tank 20 is delivered to the pump-22 through :the pipe 23 and flODl'llEQ latter is: equally distributed to the lifting jacks 1919 thrOugh-rthe pipes 24 and 25,

the :pipe '25 serving commonly a supply line leading from the jack *19 to the ack 19- i ancl asnareturndine'leading 'from both jacks and communicating with the return pipe 26. One end of this return pipe 26 ,ispreferably connected, as at 27, to the midpoint of the pipe while the other end is connected to the pipe 23 at a point 28 located between the tank 20 and the pump 22. Check valves 29 and 30 are provided between thersaid point 28 and the intake side of the pump and between the output side of the pump and the jack 19 for effectually preventing the oil fromreturning to the tank 20 by way of the pump 22. A valve 31 is provided in the line 26 for controlling and regulating the return flow of the oil from the jacks l919 through the pipes 25 and 26, it being understood that when the valve 31 is closed the oil pumped into the jacks will not be able to return to the oil tank 20. By opening the valve 31 to greater or less extent the oil in the acks will be per mitted to return more or less quickly to the tank.

Referring to Figures 2 and 8, it will be seen that jacks 1919 eachcomprise a main cylinder 32 having a cover or head 33 removably secured in position by the bolts 34. The head 33 of the jack 19 differs from that of jack 19".

in that itis provided with an inlet 35 extending laterally and thence downwardly to the interior of the cylinder 32, this head being further provided with an axially extending opening 36 constituting the outlet from the cylinder. The head 33 of the jack 19 is pro vided with a single opening 37 which serves commonly asthe inlet and. outlet ports for the cylind-r, the said openings 36 and 37 in the heads of the jacks 19 and 19, respectively, being connected together by the pipe 25 and the said inlet 35 in the head of the ack 19 being connected by the pipe 24 to the output side of the pump 22.

Arranged within the bore of each of the cylinders 32 is a plunger or piston 38 having the usual piston rod 39, the lower end of which projects through the bottom of the cylinder. Extending upwardly into the interior of the cylinder 32 from the bottom end thereof is an annular flange 40, this flange being so arranged with respect to the inner wall of the cylinder as to form an annular channel or seat 41 for receiving the lower end of a relatively heavy spring 42, the upper end of which abuts against the piston 33. This spring 42 tends normally to resist the downw rd movement of the piston 38, this resistance, being overcome, however, when the oil pressure becomes sutliciently great, the result being that whenthe oil pressure against the piston is released by opening the valve 29 in the line the piston will be operative to force the return of oil back into the oil tank 20.

Preferably, the cylinders 32 are respec tively secured. to opposite sides of the main frame 12 of the compressor, the points of securement thereto bemg si'ibstantially mid-,

way between. the fore and aft ends of the frame. In order to effect a rigid and substantial securement of the cylinders to-said frame each of the cylinders is provided. with a pair of integrally formed laterally extending mounting flanges 43, the latter being secured to the sides of the frame by bolting, or welding, bolts 43' being shown in this instance. As appears most clearly in Figures 1 and 2, the lifting devices 19 and 19 are respectively arranged between and in longitudinal alinement with the wheels 13 located on either side of the compressor, the arrangement being such that when the pistons 38 are urged downwardly by the oil pressure acting against the upper ends thereof the lower ends of the piston rods 39 will be re spectively founded upon the main tracks 14.

In order to prevent lateral displacement of said lower ends of the rods 39 with respect to the tracks 14, said lower ends are each provided with shoes 44 having depending flanges 45 for engaging the opposed side faces of each track. Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through that form of shoe employed in Figures 1, 2 and 6,it being noted that the main body 46 of said shoe is of a substantial length and that the track ongaging surface thereof is substantially fiat from end to end. When the pump 22 is operated. to supply oil to the cylinders 32 of the lifting jacks, the piston rods 39 will be forced downwardly and into engagement with the tracks 14 whereupon further downward movement of the pistons relative to their cylinders will cause the compressor to be lifted bodily above its main tracks, the said rods operating as a pair of lateral fulcrums or supports for supporting the co1npressor in raised and substantially balanced condition. Even though the compressor be somewhat unbalanced (this condition. often arising because of constantly varying weights of the water in the radiator located at the front end of the compressor and of the gas olene carried at the rearend thereof) both ends of the compressor will be simultaneously lifted when that form of shoe shown in Figure 3 is employed. With the compressor in. raised position the derailing ties 47 may be readily inserted under the transverse wheels '18, the compressor being then lowered upon said der-ailing ties-by opening the valve 31.

It has been found that only 'a few strokes of the plunger pump are necessary to raise the compressor bodily a sufficient distance above the tracks 14 to not only clear the same but also to permit the ready insertion of the transverse derailing :ties beneath the transverse wheels 18.

In certain instances it has been found unnecessary to, effect a simultaneous lifting of brace opposite sides of the main tracks M with which it is engageable, but the track en- .gaging bottom surface thereof is crowned,

as at instead of being flat in the former instance. It will be apparent that the use of these crowned or curved shoes 48 will permit the compressor to rock upon its main tracks l l when the pistons 38 and their rods 39 are urged downwardly under the pressure of oil, in consequence of which the end 51 of the compressor (which happens to be the lighter end) will be raised considerably above the tracks while. the heavier out. 52 will remain in lowered. position. (See Figure 7.) One of the derailin tics may be then inserted under the transverse wheels carried upon the lighter end after which the heavier end say be raised to permit the insertion thereunder of a second derailing tie. it will be understood', of course, that this unbalanced condition may be the result of only a very slight difference in weight of th opposite ends 0 thecompressor and accordingly very littl effort, if'any, is required to lift said lowered end 52 to a height suflicient to permit the insertion thereunder of the second trans versely extending derailing tie.

By cracking the valve 31 in the line 26, the oil pressure inthe two cylinders may be equally and gradually released and the oil returned to the oil tank- 20, this return of the oil ljieingofl'ected not only by the springs 42 acting against the pistons 38 but also by reason. of the downward movement of the compressor unit and the cylinders 32 carried thereby relative to the pistons The springs 42 are of su'tlicient strength to normally maintain the piston rods 39 in raised, inoperative position when no oil pressure is applied to the upper ends of the pistons 38 so as to eliminate the possibility of the rods dropping down while the compressor is being propelled along its main tracks 14.

It will'be apparent that the invention herein described is adaptable for use not only as a lifting means for the compressor unit, but also as an emergency braking means under certain emergency conditions, as when the usual braking devices fail to function. F or instance, suppose the unit to be traveling down grade and the usual brakes fail to hold it against further downward movement. In such an event only a few strokes of the plunger pump 22 are necessary to cause the piston rods 39 to be depressed into engagement with the main tracks 14:, the shoes with which the lower ends of said rods are equipped affording suliicient frictional engagement with the tracks to quickly and safely stop the compressor and hold it against further downward movement This emergency braking action is obtained irrespective of the type of shoe used, since both types herein shown and described are provided with more or less broad track ongaging surfaces and laterally spaced depending flanges. (See Figures 3 and 4.)

Still another advantage of this invention resulting from the fact that the hydraulic jacks 1919 are located on opposite sides of the frame intermediate the fore and aft ends thereof is that said jacks may be employed, when conditions warrant, as rigid vertical supports extending between the maintracks 14 and the sides of the frame respectively arranged above said tracks. Inasmuch as the wheels for supporting the compressor are usually arranged adjacent opposite ends of the compressor frame the central portions of the latter are unsupported and; free to vibrate when the compressor is operated, these vibratime. bein of course objectionable. objectionable condition may be obviated in con'ipressors and similar units embodying the present invention by operating the plunger pump 22 to an extent sufficient to force the piston rods 39 downwardly and into engagement with the main tracks 14, the extent of such downward movement being insuflicient, however, to lift the compressor unit bodily above said tracks. By so operating the jacks the latter function as fixed vertical supports extending between the sides of the compressor frame and the main tracks 14;, said supports being interposed respectively between the fore and aft wheels 13'on either side of the compressor for supporting the central and normally unsupported portions of the compressor frame.

Although this invention has been illustrated invention, and it is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated in the appended claims.

W hat is claimed as new and useful is:

1. in a portable rail car unit, in combination, a main body frame having wheels arranged to travel along main tracks extending longitudinally with respect to said unit, transverse wheels carried by said frame andarranged to travel along tracks extending transversely of said main tracks, and means carried by said body frame and operative to bodily lift the unit above the main tracks to a height sinhcient to permit said transverse tracks to be inserted beneath said transverse wheels,

This

said means being disposed intermediate the I fore andaft ends of said unit whereby to facilitate the insertion and removal of said transverse tracks into and out of position by bodily shifting the same laterally of their lengths;

2. In a portable rail car unit,fin combination, a main body frame having Wheels. respectively rotatable about longitudinally and transversely extending axes, certain, ofsaid wheels being arranged to travel along main tracks while others constitute transverse, derailing wheels for-the unit, and means respectively secured to opposite sides of said frame intermediate said transversely extending axes and operable to bodily lift the unit to a height sufficient to cl ar said main wheels from the main tracks and to permit derailing ties to be laterally shifted into position between Said tracks and the transverse derailing wheels from points located outwardly of the opposite ends of said frame.

A portable rail car unit including a main body frame, wheels journalled upon said frame for permitting said unit to be moved along a set of main tracks, said wheels being arranged adjacent the fore and aft ends of said frame, and a pair of hydraulically operated lifting devices mounted-upon opposite sides of said frame andintermediate the fore and aft ends of said frame or; bodily lifting said unit above said main tracks;

l. A portable rail car unit including a main body frame, wheels journalled upon said frame for permitting said unit to be-moved along a set of main tracks, said Wheels being arranged adjacent the fore and aft ends of said frame, and a pair of hydraulically operated lifting devices mounted upon opposite sides of said frame and intermediate the fore and aft ends of said frame for bodily lifting said unit above said main tracks, said devices constituting a pair of laterally opposed fulcrums upon which said unit may be supported in substantially balanced condition.

5. In a portable air compressor unit arranged to travel along a track way extending longitudinally with respect to said unit, a pair of fluid pressure operated lifting devices for said unit mounted on opposite sides and intermediate the fore and aft ends thereof, each of said devices comprising a cylinder and a plunger operable within said cylinder and adapted to be forced downwardly against one of the tracks whereby to lift the unit bodily above said trackway.

6. In a portable rail car unit, in combination, a frame having wheels for engaging a pair of main longitudinally extending tracks, transverse wheels also mounted upon said frame and spaced above said tracks, a pair of cylinders respectively mounted upon opposite sides of said frame intermediate the fore and aft ends thereof, a pair of plunger-s operable within said cylinders and projecting downwardly and in line with said tracks for engagement therewith at points located intermediate said wheels, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinders equally whereby to force said plungers into engagement with said tracks and thereby operative position.

said-frame intermediate the fore and aft ends thereof, each-oi said devlces including an axially movable plunger arranged to be forced downwardly and into engagement Withopposite tracks, means for supplying fluid under substantially equal pressure to both of said devices simultaneously, whereby to effect said downward movement of said plungers, means tending normally to resist u 'saiddownward: movement, and means for gradually releasing said fluid pressure whereby to permlt said resisting means to effect the return of sald plungers to the r normal in- 8.-In a portable rail car unit, a maln body frame having a pair of opposed wheels at either end thereof for engaging a pair of longitudinally extending tracks, apair of fluid pressure operated lifting devices mounted upo'nopposite sides of said frame intermediate-the ends thereof, each of said devices including an axially movable plunger arranged to be forced downwardly and into respective engagement with said tracks at points located between each pair of fore and aft wheels, means for supplying fluid under substantially equal pressure to both of said devices simultaneously whereby to effect said downward movement of said plungers, and means for gradually releasing said fluid pressure.

9. In a portable rail car unit, in combination, a pair of opposed wheels at either end thereof for engaging a pair of longitudinally extending tracks, a pair of fluid pressure operated lifting jacks mounted upon opposite sides of said frame intermediate the ends.

thereof, each of said jacks including an axially movable plunger arranged to be forced downwardly and into respective engagement with said tracks at points located between each pair of fore and aft wheels, means secured to the track-engaging ends of said plungers for preventing lateral displacement thereof with respect to said tracks, and means for commonly supplying fluid under pressure to both of said jacks whereby to force said plungcrs downwardly and into respective engagement with said tracks.

10. In a portable rail car unit, in combination, a pair of longitudinally alined wheels at either side of said unit for respectively engaging a pair of main tracks, a second pair of transversely alined wheels at either end of said unit for respectively engagingapair of derailingtracks arrangedto be laid across said main tracks, said transversely alined wheels being so mounted with respect to said longitudinally alined wheels that the track-engaging points of the former are spaced vertically above the'traek-Kengaging pointsofithe latter, a pairof fluid pressure operated ,plun gers secured to opposite sides of .said unit intermediate the ends thereof, said Tplungers being eaeh operable along a vertical lineextending between and lying in the plane of one of said pairs of longitudinally alined wheels, and means for commonly supplying fluid under pressure to both of said plungers wherebyto cause at-least oneendof said unit to be lifted to a height suffieient to clearsaid main tracks and :permit a .derailing track-to be inserted beneath the transverse wheel-s associated 'With said lifted end.

-11.=In a portable :railcar unit,-iin conibination, .a frame having a pair \of Lf'OI-GciLIld ,afit wheels on opposite-sidesthereof fonqperative engagement wWitha pair ofstracks, a pressure cylinder mounted upon each, side of :said frame :intermediate and .in substantial :aline-- ment with the oorresponding pair-of-fore.-and raft Wheels, a plunger-operable withineeacrh nf .said cylinders, the lower end ofsaidplunger being provided :withza crowned track engaging :portion, means :tending constantly to maintain said plungers .in normally -retracted position withinsaidlcylinders and means for supplying fluid under pressure to the upper ends of said ,plungers to force the latter downwardly and against the .action of said retracting means intoengagement With said tracks whereby .to permit said unit to be bodily Llifited :above said :tracks for rocking movement about said icrowned track engaging portions as 'fulcrums.

x12. lln a portable a'ail vcar :unit, in combinattion a frame having a gpai-r-of fore and aft Wheels on opposite sides thereof ifor "engagi'ing a pair rif tracks a,pair of oil pressure 0p- :erated devices Erespectively;mounted upon op- :PQSltGrSddGSOlfthB =f-rame,ieach-of saiddevices including an axially movable3plunger,:anoil tank :mounted upon the frame, and a pump unterposed between said tank and said ide- Wiees ifor: sui'zplying; oil under pressure to both tofttheilatter simultaneously whereby to force :Sflld plungers downwardly until the lower ends (thereof project below :the lowermost :points of said wheel-s.

.In itestimon-y whereof, Ihave hereunto ffixedunysignature.

JQSEPH S. "OiECHSLE. 

